Whether you're buying or selling packaging and packaging-related equipment/products, turn a packaging trade show into a great success for your company. Attending the right shows provides valuable contacts and information that will grow your company. Nearly 80% of trade show attendees say attending trade shows help them make purchasing decisions.

As a packaging tradeshow visitor, gain access to the latest advances in packaging and processes, find new suppliers, meet with technical experts and learn about specialized product packaging. As an exhibitor, take advantage of the same opportunities as a visitor in addition to displaying your own innovative products/services, gaining new customers/network opportunities and actually making sales. As you research the possibilities, keep the following in mind:

1. Packaging trade show costs can grow exponentially, so ensure you stick to your budget as a buyer or as an exhibitor.

2. As a packaging trade show exhibitor, know the average visitor only spends less than three seconds looking at any display.

3. Utilize packaging trade show services to set up your booth and save time.

4. Follow up with prospects after a packaging tradeshow in order of priority — hot, medium and cold leads.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate packaging trade show advice and information concerning upcoming events

Find all the packaging trade show information you need on shows offered throughout the year to make sure you reach the right potential customers or suppliers for your company.

I recommend: Attend the next PACK EXPO to learn about innovative developments in all aspects of the packaging supply chain. At this packaging trade show, you'll find exhibits for packaging and processing machinery, containers, materials, services, components, converting machinery and more. Attend or participate in the next EastPack trade show, the largest annual East coast packaging event. If you still want more trade shows to pick from, look through a packaging trade show directory like the one at Packaging Today or BizTradeShows.com.

Create a packaging trade show exhibit that fits your budget

Within the packaging industry, you sell products and provide services, and you can highlight both at a trade show. Find out what size table you'll have to work with, booth size and outlet availability so you can plan the exhibit layout. You can bring your most innovative packaging designs with you to display, and you can also build a looping video or PowerPoint presentation describing your services/products and show that presentation from a laptop positioned on your table or from a mounted video display.

I recommend: If you'd like to capture the attention of visitors to your booth, get a free quote on a tradeshow video loop or video from Oxygen Productions. Request an estimate from Presentation Partners on a custom-built PowerPoint presentation highlighting/demonstrating your products and/or services.

Find a packaging trade show follow-up solution

It doesn't matter if you visit or exhibit at packaging trade shows; you'll waste all your time, money and resources if you don't follow up promptly on contacts you make during the show. You can build your own follow-up system using your existing contact management software or purchase software or gadgets to help with follow up.

I recommend: You really don't need to spend extra money on following up with your packaging tradeshow contacts. Decide what you want to say and then call, write a letter or do both promptly upon your return back to work. If you have sales reps to help you follow up on leads, consider a software solution like Leads360. If you want a gadget that can help improve your record for converting leads into sales, consider CardScan Lead Qualifier. Invest in “green convention bags” imprinted with your company name for your next packaging tradeshow, so potential customers will use your bag to carry all their packaging tradeshow giveaways – and they’ll also use their bags at home after all the fancy color brochures have been thrown in the trash.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides your packaging displays, put together a packaging trade show guide or brochure describing your services or product line that you can distribute to visitors along with your business cards and giveaways like stress balls, pens or letter openers.